Essential Oils for the Treatment of Varicose Veins

Essential oils, such as those made by Young Living or Doterra, may be used to treat varicose veins. These oils are also safe to use in pregnancy. There are a variety of essential oils that may be used.Essential oils for the treatment of varicose veins are often used in conjunction with conservative treatment. Legs should be elevated when sitting, excessive sitting or standing should be avoided, and support hose may be worn. All of these measures help to promote circulation of the lower extremities.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil can be applied directly to the varicose vein. It may be irritating to the skin, so using olive oil or grapeseed oil as a carrier may lessen this effect. Lemongrass oil can assist with the pain associated with varicose veins. With continued use, it may reduce the appearance of varicose veins.

Helichrysum
This oil has quite a few specific properties that may treat varicose veins. It has anticoagulant properties. It can be used as an anesthetic. It may have antispasmodic properties. It may also regenerate nerves and can calm the pain associated with varicose veins. This essential oil may take time to work; it can be applied topically 2-4 times per day directly to the varicosity. It should be massaged directly onto the vein. In addition, it can be combined with basil oil, cypress oil and wintergreen oil. In this mixture, it is also applied 2-4 times per day and massaged directly onto the varicose vain.

Essential Oil Compresses
An essential oil compress uses a variety of essential oils. They are combined together to create a compress that is applied directly to the varicose vein. The combination of specific essential oils may increase blood flow to the area, hopefully curing the varicose vein. A combination of chamomile oil, carrot seed oil, lavender oil, St. John’s wort tincture and water is an example of one such compress.

How to Use Essential Oils for the Treatment of Varicose Veins

Essential oils can be used as described, pertaining to the oils already discussed. However, there are other ways to use essential oils to treat varicose veins.

Warm and cool compresses can be alternated; compresses are known to relieve pain and inflammation. For either type of compress, 5 drops of oil to 1 liter of water are used. Soak a cloth in the mixture and apply directly to the varicose veins. The warm compress would be used first, followed directly by the cold compress.

Massage with essential oils: 21-30 drops are mixed with 50ml of a carrier oil. This mixture is massaged on to the varicosity, massaging towards the heart.

While it is known that further studies are necessary to prove that essential oils are helpful to the treatment of varicose veins, it is certainly a therapy that can be used as an adjunct to other self-care remedies.